fitness reviews Archives - Pea of Sweetness

Maximize your Workout with the Garmin Heart Rate Monitor

April 25, 2014 by Emilee Evans

Disclosure: I received the Garmin FR70 Fitness Watch to facilitate my Heart Rate Monitor Review. Regardless, all opinions are my own.

I have been monitoring my heart rate during workouts for the past few years. There are many advantages to it including staying within your target heart rate zone. Going above and staying below can both hinder your results. Because I have also had open heart surgery, I am extra vigilant to make sure I am exercising responsibly. It is very easy for me to “get out of shape” if I don’t exercise regularly because of this, and I have to work my way back up. I have to take a different approach than someone with a “normal” heart, and without a heart rate monitor, I would have to stop every 10 minutes to check my pulse, which is, well, just annoying!
What makes a good heart rate monitor, though? For me, I would say accuracy and features, and I was in need of one that offered more. So when I was asked to review a Garmin Heart Monitor I was thrilled! The features are amazing! I received the Garmin FR70 from Medical Arts Press, a trusted internet retailer and mail order supplier of professional printing and practice-related essential for health care professionals.
With the Garmin FR70 you can stay motivated and accomplish your fitness goals with a gorgeous fitness watch plus workout tool that tracks your time, heart rate and calories burned! The Garmin FR70:
* Tracks time, heart rate and calories
* Provides instant feedback about your workout
* Wirelessly transfers your data
* Features a fresh new look and a comfortable wristband
* Calculates time, heart rate and calories
* Is water resistant to 50 meters
* Is pink and black

I have been using the Garmin FR70 for my workouts to track my heart rate and the calories I’m burning. I love that I can easily upload the data to my computer! You simply download the program, plug in the ANT stick, move the watch near your computer and that’s it! It uploads the data! That, to me, is such a great feature because I usually have to go in and manually enter it somewhere.
There are so many features I haven’t used yet like Training Mode, which allows you to set up intervals and timers. I can definitely see how this will come in handy. I use it for the timer function. When I am about to start my workout, I put on the strap, start the timer and go! Then everything I do is being tracked. I like this because I was on the elliptical the other day, and I had to take my hands off every once in a while, so I lose data during that time. Now, I don’t have to worry about that anymore. Now my FR70 keeps all of that data for me, so I don’t have to rely on the treadmill!
It did take me a couple of tries to realize the buttons are hard to push with your fingertip, but easy to push if you use your fingernail. After that, I had no problems with the buttons. Plus, it makes a nice looking and fully functioning watch! You can even set an alarm!

I am really impressed by all of the features of the Garmin FR70 Heart Rate Monitor. It is comfortable, looks nice (an extra perk!), has all the features I need and more! This is definitely the heart rate monitor I was needing to help me keep keep up my endurance and stay on track for my goals!

For More Information:

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Break Pal Review

July 27, 2013 by Emilee Evans

Obviously, I spend some time at the computer. Lately, it’s been more than usual as I have had A LOT of work all at once. I often sit while the kids do less of the hands-on homeschool work like worksheets but still need me nearby for help. I like to workout regularly, but particularly during times I am busier than usual like now it’s hard to fit in longer workouts, so what am I to do? Well, I was recently introduced to Break Pal.
We all know working out is REALLY important not just to stay in shape but for overall better health. What if you work in the office all day or are just busy? Those are the biggest reasons I hear people say they don’t workout. Break Pal offers a solution! Break Pal offers fitness at your desk! Now that it is also available on the iPhone it can also offer fitness in the back room while you are helping your kids with their worksheets. I guess that is my personal example, but you get the idea. (Android app coming soon!)
Break Pal exercises are around 2-5 minutes, and you can set timed intervals so you get popups to remind you to take one of these micro workout breaks every 30 minutes (or whatever time interval works for you). Some workouts are done while sitting in your chair and some are done while standing.
Break Pal offers a variety of exercises, and they add new exercises often to keep the workouts fresh. The exercises vary from stretches to a variety of styles. Examples are: Martial arts aerobics, yoga, Tai Chi, Chi kung. They also plan on introducing belly dancing and salsa dance!
One of the features I enjoy about Break Pal is that they also offer a social network and point-based rewards system. You are able to chat with others, rate and comment on the various exercises, etc. I noticed that it matters what you have to say, which is really important! Although, I hadn’t left feedback on any of the exercises or asked any questions I noticed that those who had received personal responses to their feedback and questions. I love that they care enough to take the time to respond personally to everyone. Liz has also personally emailed me to check-in to encourage me and keep me on track!
I have found the exercises on Break Pal to be refreshing. They vary in difficulty, and I choose those that are best for me. They are definitely not all “easy.” It is really amazing what a few minutes of exercises broken up in increments throughout the day can do! Our health is important, and Break Pal is a great way to make sure we can squeeze in time for fitness.

For More Information:

Connect with Break Pal on Facebook
You can visit Break Pal online and get started with a Free Account! If you love it you can Upgrade to a Premium membership! With a Premium Membership you get access to more workouts!
*Giveaway {ended 8/10/13}* For more chances to win be sure to check out our Current Giveaways!
How would you like to WIN a one-year Premium Membership Upgrade to Break Pal? Enter below! This giveaway runs from 7/27 through 8/10 at 11:00pm (times are Central) and is open worldwide ages 18+. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.

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The DanceSocks Review

April 4, 2013 by Emilee Evans

The DanceSocks turn your shoes into dance shoes! If you like to dance or do dance-style workouts then Dance Socks are for you! I often do dance-style workouts, but I often get achy knees and hips – particularly when doing a lot of twists and turns on our hard linoleum floor. My shoes tend to “stick” to the floor, so I can’t just twist my feet without also putting strain on my knees and hips. So, when I heard about DanceSocks, I knew I had to try them! My hip and knee pain can get so bad that I actually have to take a day or two off from my workouts, and that is always a bummer!
For my review I received 2 pairs of black DanceSocks from CoCo’s Closet. They are very soft and stretchy. I love the flexibility of being able to cover just a very small area of your shoe or a larger area depending on your needs. I chose to cover a large area around the ball of my foot, because this is the area I was needing to be more dance friendly because a lot of the dance moves in my workout require pivoting from the ball of your feet. Those moves are, by far, the hardest on my knees and hips. The DanceSocks definitely provided a solution! I was able to pivot without any problem at all! Because it is only on one part of my shoe, though, I didn’t have any problems with not having any traction when I did need it! That was definitely in the back of my mind, so I was definitely glad that it wasn’t an issue! See them in action!

I’ve enjoyed using the DanceSocks so much that sometimes I just put them on and have fun playing with the kids and randomly dancing and gliding around on our floors. Our entire flooring throughout the house is the linoleum, so I have A LOT of room to do this! So not only have the DanceSocks made my workouts easier and less painful, they have also provided a lot of fun!! 🙂
The DanceSocks are available in pink and black and are made in the USA. They can be purchased for $10 for 2 pairs of the same color at Coco’s Closet.
Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products I have used and feel would be good for my readers. I am not required to post a positive review. My opinions are my own and may be different than yours.